Congratulations to MDUK and partners on winning Gold and Best Show Garden at Chelsea Flower Show!

The Nurture Group is delighted to congratulate Muscular Dystrophy UK, Project Giving Back, designer Ula Maria, and Crocus for winning a Gold Medal and the Best Show Garden award at the Chelsea Flower Show. The Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden offers a serene and accessible sanctuary inspired by Shinrin-yoku, designed to support those affected by muscle-wasting conditions. This sustainable and immersive garden, set to be relocated to benefit the community further, is a testament to the power of nature in providing solace and fostering connections.

A haven of solace and reflection

The Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden is more than just a visually stunning space; it is a sanctuary for those affected by muscle-wasting conditions. This garden provides a much-needed place of solace and reflection, designed to support patients, their families, and clinicians, especially during the challenging times of diagnosis and treatment.

Inspired by Shinrin-yoku

The garden’s design draws inspiration from the ancient Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. This practice encourages individuals to immerse themselves in the forest atmosphere and reconnect with nature through their senses. The Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden aims to bridge the gap between people and the natural world, awakening a sense of imagination and an innate connection to nature.

Who is the garden for?

This beautiful public garden primarily serves the Muscular Dystrophy UK community, including patients, their families, researchers, and clinicians. The garden offers a peaceful retreat and a place for communal support and reflection.

Winning design elements

Designed by award-winning garden designer, landscape architect, and illustrator Ula Maria, the key features of the garden include:

• Flint Wall: A large random knapped flint wall, reminiscent of muscle cells, serves as both an educational tool and a visual centerpiece, highlighting the impact of Muscular Dystrophy on muscles.
• Birch Grove: The planting design is inspired by a birch grove, with over 40 trees creating a forest-like ambiance. These trees are under-planted with woodland edge plants, offering a rich tapestry of textures and occasional bursts of color.
• Central Hub: At the heart of the garden is a central hub with sculptural flint walls, providing a sheltered space for sharing experiences and fostering community support, much like the support Muscular Dystrophy UK offers.

Commitment to sustainability

The garden is a testament to sustainable design principles, incorporating:

• Reclaimed Materials: Use of slate, creasing tiles, and clay pavers.
• Reusable Foundations: Precast concrete footings used in previous Chelsea gardens, promoting reuse over new concrete foundations.
• Bungaroosh Wall: Modular steelwork sections filled with reclaimed materials.
• Planted Areas: Over 75% of the garden area is planted, with a water rill capturing and slowing down runoff water.

Future relocation

Excitingly, the Muscular Dystrophy UK – Forest Bathing Garden will soon find a permanent home where it will continue to benefit the muscle-wasting and weakening community. Stay updated on its relocation journey through the Muscular Dystrophy UK website.

We at the Nurture Group are incredibly proud of this achievement and the profound impact this garden will have on the community it serves. Congratulations once again to MDUK, Project Giving Back, Ula Maria, and Crocus for their well-deserved accolades.

The Nurture Group recently became a corporate partner of Muscular Dystrophy UK, donating £20,000 and commiting to work together to help raise awareness and further support over the next 12 months. For more information on the Nurture’s partnership with MDUK please click here.